The Turkish shipping market is one of the world’s most forward thinking when it comes to digitalisation and optimisation which is why the Columbia Group has identified it as a major opportunity for future growth and cooperation.

Columbia proudly serves Turkish clients, actively demonstrating unwavering commitment to delivering top-tier technical and crew management services with a focus on quality and reliability.

Speaking at the CSM Turkiye Cocktail Reception at the Marriott Asia Istanbul Hotel, Mark O’Neil, President and CEO of Columbia, praised Turkish shipowners and operators for investing in some of the most modern tonnage and said that the appetite amongst Turkish owners for optimisation and digitalisation was significant with 76 vessels already registered on the OneLink Optimisation platform, a preferred partner of Columbia Group.

The OneLink platform incorporates the latest digital tools to maximise vessel performance and efficiency. Incorporating a strong delivery of digital products, OneLink easily integrates into an operators’ current system and is fully adaptable  to the equipment onboard.

Additionally, the EngineLink platform, with its smart data capabilities which can transform Fleet Monitoring, Engine Condition Assessment, and Emission Tracking, has already been successfully installed on more than 300 vessels.

Mr O’Neil said the Columbia Group was interested in real partnerships with the Turkish market and was ready, willing and able, to support the industry in the amazing journey that it is embarking on.

“And the Turkish shipping market, as I have already said, is changing massively and we are committed to that change. Columbia Group has already set up a cadet scholarship programme in conjunction with the Piri Reis University and the Istanbul Technical University and is sponsoring the first 10 students, four of whom are women. We will be doubling our commitment to 20 students next year,” he added.